NEW YORK CITY: The latest restrictions imposed on India-administered Kashmir are deeply concerning and “will exacerbate the human rights situation”, the UN has said.

A UN spokesperson highlighted a telecommunications ban, the arbitrary detention of leaders and a ban on political assembly.

The region has been on lockdown since Sunday with communication cut off. The life of Kashmir has been thrown out of gear after the Indian government stripped it of its special constitutional status.

Article 370 of the Constitution of India had given the state of Jammu and Kashmir special dispensation to make its own laws on everything apart from matters of foreign affairs, defense and communications.

This formed the basis of its complex relationship with India for some 70 years.

The Himalayan region is claimed in its entirety by both India and Pakistan, but each country controls only part of it.

(Agencies)